Month: June 2017

Congratulations New Westminster!

I’m excited about the future of heritage buildings in the lower mainland, with the news that New West has also created a Heritage Conservation Area (HCA), in Queen’s Park.  As I walked down a few of the streets in the area recently , I was reminded of Mayor Cote’s comment : “It is not any one individual home that makes that neighbourhood what it is. It is the collection of homes that have been able to last as long as they have and to receive the love and attention from the neighbourhood.”  There is certainly lots to love here!

 

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The Celtic Shipyards Challenge

At what point is a heritage building or complex no longer worth keeping? It’s a question I’ve been pondering a lot lately, after reading Heritage Vancouver’s annual Top 10 Watch List, which includes the Celtic Shipyards (#4 on the list), then speaking with a trades person who worked there recently and noted several serious safety concerns. Of course it’s very possible to restore or rehabilitate these fascinating and historic industrial buildings, but as you can see in these pictures taken last week, it would require a huge financial commitment.

Old ≠ Energy Inefficiency

There is a persistent misconception that heritage buildings are drafty, damp structures that ooze energy out of every leak and crack.  Well, perhaps in cartoons, but the reality is quite different. And here’s the proof: the Canada Green Building Council and heritage advocates discussing the newly announced Zero Carbon Building Standard, in that context that it is achievable by all buildings.  The CaGBC website has lots more info about this program, here:

http://www.cagbc.org/zerocarbon